The Legacy Keeper: Edna Cummings and the Fight to Honor the 6888th Ep. 13

The Legacy Keeper: Edna Cummings and the Fight to Honor the 6888th Ep. 13

Some women make history. Others make sure it’s never forgotten. In this unforgettable episode of Women of War, we sit down with Edna Cummings, a trailblazing Army colonel (Ret.) and national advocate who has spent the last several years ensuring that the legacy of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the first and only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas during World War II—receives the honor it long deserved. From her own distinguished military career to her tireless work behind the scenes pushing Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the “Six Triple Eight,” Edna opens up about what it means to carry the torch for justice, representation, and historical truth. Her journey is one of legacy, leadership, and love for those who served in silence. In this episode, you’ll hear: * The untold story of the 6888th and how Edna helped bring it to national attention * What drives her advocacy for women and African American veterans * Her reflections on leadership as a Black woman officer in the U.S. Army * How preserving history is an act of service and empowerment for future generations Edna’s voice is calm, clear, and deeply courageous. Her life’s work proves that honoring the past can shape the future—and that no contribution to our freedom should ever be forgotten. 🎧 Now streaming on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9e628d8f-bf2f-4ab9-bc07-5417ab7df602/women-of-war [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9e628d8f-bf2f-4ab9-bc07-5417ab7df602/women-of-war] iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-women-of-war-313063924/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-women-of-war-313063924/] YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Fq25gdNK0MJGhlpa5T_NG5vIFOh9ID0 [https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Fq25gdNK0MJGhlpa5T_NG5vIFOh9ID0] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pu5zHeFiNYL7jH8cviDHv?si=qNrhDzo1S7WY9TTDSiUEDA [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pu5zHeFiNYL7jH8cviDHv?si=qNrhDzo1S7WY9TTDSiUEDA] Apple: https://apple.co/454tXpW [https://apple.co/454tXpW] 📢 This episode is proudly sponsored by MilMentor, an organization committed to empowering military-connected leaders across all ranks, roles, and walks of life. For more on Edna: https://ednacummings.com/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn

SLAY to Success: Reclaiming Power, Purpose, and Possibility with Rochelle Hemingway Ep. 12

From military boots to bold leadership boots, Rochelle Hemingway’s story is one of transformation, tenacity, and triumph. In this episode of Women of War, we sit down with the trailblazing CEO and Founder of SLAY to Success®, LLC—a woman who shattered ceilings throughout her 30+ year career in the United States Air Force, culminating in her role as the highest enlisted leader on a base of over 8,000 personnel. Rochelle shares how growing up in a military family shaped her worldview, and how she developed a leadership style rooted in authenticity, resilience, and purpose. We dive deep into her evolution from airman to strategic leader to published author, speaker, and motivator—and how her signature mantra, “SLAY: Strong. Limitless. Authentic. You.”, became both a personal creed and a rallying cry for others to rise. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * Her transition from service to civilian success * The emotional and mental hurdles of identity, confidence, and reinvention * What it means to lead with heart, especially in rooms where you’re the “only one” * How health, fitness, and spiritual growth anchor her leadership Rochelle doesn’t just talk about empowerment—she lives it, and she challenges all of us to tap into our unapologetic truth and own our power. 🔊 Listen now on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9e628d8f-bf2f-4ab9-bc07-5417ab7df602/women-of-war [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9e628d8f-bf2f-4ab9-bc07-5417ab7df602/women-of-war] iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-women-of-war-313063924/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-women-of-war-313063924/] YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Fq25gdNK0MJGhlpa5T_NG5vIFOh9ID0 [https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Fq25gdNK0MJGhlpa5T_NG5vIFOh9ID0] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pu5zHeFiNYL7jH8cviDHv?si=qNrhDzo1S7WY9TTDSiUEDA [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pu5zHeFiNYL7jH8cviDHv?si=qNrhDzo1S7WY9TTDSiUEDA] Apple: https://apple.co/454tXpW [https://apple.co/454tXpW] 📢 Proudly sponsored by MilMentor, an organization that champions mentorship and professional development across the entire military-connected community. For more on Rochelle: https://www.slaytosuccess.com/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn

From Convoy to Camera: Michelle Horn’s Journey Through War, Words, and Legacy Ep. 11

In this powerful episode of Women of War, we sit down with Michelle Horn, a retired U.S. Army veteran whose 21-year career spanned battlefields, briefing rooms, and broadcast stations. Michelle opens up about her extraordinary journey—beginning as a transportation officer commanding convoys through Kuwait and Iraq, and later transitioning into a public affairs officer whose voice carried the stories of our servicemembers to global platforms. We talk about grit, adaptability, and storytelling as a form of service. Michelle shares what it was like navigating high-stakes media relations at the Pentagon as the spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and leading operations for American Forces Network Europe. But beyond her resume, Michelle reveals the humanity behind the uniform—the sacrifices, the resilience, and the unwavering dedication to amplifying the voices of others. This episode explores what it means to lead through communication, how the military shapes narrative strategy, and why family legacy and community continue to drive Michelle’s post-service mission to support veterans and their families. 💥 It’s a conversation about finding your voice, using it for good, and owning every chapter of your service story. 🔊 Available now on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9e628d8f-bf2f-4ab9-bc07-5417ab7df602/women-of-war [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9e628d8f-bf2f-4ab9-bc07-5417ab7df602/women-of-war] iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-women-of-war-313063924/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-women-of-war-313063924/] YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Fq25gdNK0MJGhlpa5T_NG5vIFOh9ID0 [https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Fq25gdNK0MJGhlpa5T_NG5vIFOh9ID0] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pu5zHeFiNYL7jH8cviDHv?si=qNrhDzo1S7WY9TTDSiUEDA [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pu5zHeFiNYL7jH8cviDHv?si=qNrhDzo1S7WY9TTDSiUEDA] Apple: https://apple.co/454tXpW [https://apple.co/454tXpW] 📢 Sponsored by MilMentor, a national initiative empowering military-connected professionals across leadership, education, and entrepreneurship. For more Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellelynnehorn/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn

From Cockpit to Camera: Jennifer Bennie’s Mission to Preserve Legacy Ep. 10

What happens when a trailblazing Navy helicopter pilot trades her flight helmet for a microphone and a camera? In this episode of Women of War, we sit down with Jennifer Bennie, a retired Naval Aviator and founder of Walk With History, a dynamic storytelling platform honoring those who came before us. From serving aboard the USS Jarrett and USS Tarawa to becoming a powerful advocate for preserving history through media, Jennifer’s journey is a remarkable blend of service, passion, and purpose. We talk about: * Breaking barriers as a woman in military aviation * How service deepened her respect for historical legacy * Her transition to storytelling and founding Walk With History * Why remembering the past is essential for inspiring the future Jennifer’s story is a reminder that leadership and service don’t end with the uniform. They evolve, and sometimes they take flight in new, unexpected directions. 🎧 Tune in now on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio. 🔗 Sponsored by MilMentor — empowering service members, veterans, and allies to thrive through community, mentorship, and leadership development. For more on Jennifer: https://walkwithhistory.net/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn

The Longest March: Legacy, Leadership, and the Unseen Strength of a Warrant Officer with Wendy Wayman Ep. 9

After over 40 years of active duty, Wendy Wayman retired as the longest continually serving active-duty warrant officer in the United States Army. But this isn’t just a story of longevity — it’s a masterclass in resilience, technical mastery, and breaking barriers in some of the Army’s most specialized and misunderstood ranks. In this episode, Wendy shares what it means to serve with unwavering commitment across decades of military transformation — from the Cold War to Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a signals intelligence and electronic warfare expert, Wendy didn’t just operate in the shadows — she became the connective tissue between commanders and soldiers, the mentor who helped shape 34 future warrant officers, and the calm voice in chaotic moments of war. We talk about: * Her unlikely start in uniform at 17. * The myth and reality of the warrant officer role. * What it felt like to serve in combat zones alongside her own children — pinning their ranks on during deployment. * How her personal mantra, “No is just the first step to yes,” became a tool to dismantle roadblocks for others. * And why retirement is just the beginning — as she now leads Whiskey Squared LLC, inspiring the next generation of technical leaders and changemakers. Wendy’s story is one of depth, grit, and profound legacy — a reminder that behind every great system is a human force keeping it together. 🎧 Listen now on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9e628d8f-bf2f-4ab9-bc07-5417ab7df602/women-of-war [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9e628d8f-bf2f-4ab9-bc07-5417ab7df602/women-of-war] iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-women-of-war-313063924/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-women-of-war-313063924/] YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Fq25gdNK0MJGhlpa5T_NG5vIFOh9ID0 [https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Fq25gdNK0MJGhlpa5T_NG5vIFOh9ID0] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pu5zHeFiNYL7jH8cviDHv?si=qNrhDzo1S7WY9TTDSiUEDA [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pu5zHeFiNYL7jH8cviDHv?si=qNrhDzo1S7WY9TTDSiUEDA] Apple: https://apple.co/454tXpW [https://apple.co/454tXpW] 🫡 Sponsored by MilMentor — building powerful communities across the military-connected landscape. For more on Wendy: https://whiskeysquaredllc.com/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn